Chapter Text
Bendy couldn’t remember the last time he went to sleep and didn’t have a nightmare.
The sun shone brightly in the room, waking him up with a start. Startling even himself with the speed at which he got up. Blinking rapidly, he forced himself to face the sun. The room was too bright. He inhaled deeply, initiating a coughing fit.
The ink had settled into his throat. He reached beside him, chugging the glass of water on the side table desperately. He blindly grabbed the two small pills besides the glass, swallowing them too. They didn’t help much most days, but it was routine at this point. At most they would make the ink stay more liquidy so it wouldn’t clog his lungs.
He laid back down for a moment, taking in the comfort, knowing it wouldn’t last. He heard his brother call for him from downstairs, the blankets around him only feeling more appealing. A sigh left his lips as he got up almost robotically. After getting dressed and ready he headed for the door, but not before putting on a playful smile on his face.
Downstairs he could hear whistling, a small toon he’d heard since his childhood.
“Bendy!” His little brother greeted, and he smiled almost genuinely this time.
“You act like you haven’t seen me in days.” He remarked, sitting at the table. His food was already set out for him.
“Sorry, I get worried you won’t make it through the night sometimes.” Boris said absentmindedly, before his eyes widened. He turned to look at Bendy in panic, already stating to apologize, but the older brushed him off.
“Don’t sweat it, it’s only the truth.” He sighed. Boris sat down across from him with his own food, not very far because of the size of the table. He was averting his gaze, staying quiet. Scared that he may slip up again. Bendy hated that. He gave him a smile.
“Any new recipes today?” He asked. That got Boris’ ears to perk up slightly.
“I had some planned, but I don’t work the kitchen today, I go in later so I’ll have to wait till tomorrow.” He said disappointedly, but a small smile appeared after. He walked to the fridge and pulled out a plate. “I did make the samples though.” He pushed the plate towards Bendy. He knew that was his cue to try them.
There were three pastries on the plate. If he played his cards right he could try all three without coughing. He could do it to show Boris he was okay. The first two went down smoothly, and tasted delicious. But the third one was the best tasting of them all. It was also unfortunately the driest.
Bendy’s vision went black, and inky. His throat tightened as the ink seeped in to fill the space. He could feel Boris scrambling in the background, a different flavor filling his tongue after a few seconds. Water, with a touch of bleach if he had to guess. It wasn’t the healthiest anecdote, but they didn’t really have much else. When his vision cleared up he saw Boris in front of him, eyes wide and ears alert.
“Bendy? You okay?” He asked. Bendy blinked and nodded slowly.
“Yeah.” He coughed. “Yeah, I’m okay. Golly, that one was so good it shocked me half to death.” He joked. Boris stayed staring, eyes hard, expression semi annoyed. Bendy sighed, chuckling nervously. “Tough crowd, I’m fine, B.” He stated seriously. “But seriously, that one was really good.” He added with a smile. Boris sighed, getting up and putting the pastries away. He glanced at the clock.
“It’s 9, is Cuphead coming for you again?” Bendy nodded, finishing the water in his cup. He brought the dishes to the sink, walking towards the door after, grabbing a small brown bag on the way.
“I’ll be back by dinner as always, call me if you need a ride.” He said.
“You gonna be okay?” His ears were pinned to his head, but he was trying not to look so worried. Bendy hated when he worried about him. He rolled his eyes.
“I’ll be fine, Boris.” He replied softly. The wolf nodded hesitantly, bidding him goodbye as he opened the door. The fresh air beckoning him.
Outside, Cuphead stood leaned against his car. Bight red, dingy and well loved, at least that's how he described it. He tried not to let it show, but his entire body relaxed at the first sight of him. Stupid soul bond. The man smirked cheekily at him.
“Hey, Bends.” He sang. Bendy rolled his eyes. The cup opened the passenger door and smiled again, softer this time. Bendy got in, grumbling a greeting under his breath.
Cuphead and Bendy weren’t dating, but it was really only because Bendy didn’t allow it. Despite being soulmates, Bendy didn’t want Cuphead to be in a relationship with someone so close to death. Cuphead didn’t care. He forced proximity with Bendy whenever he could anyways, and Bendy would pretend to be annoyed.
“Did your brother need a ride?” Bendy shook his head.
“He goes in later today. Maybe a ride back home, but I don’t think he'd want that.” Cuphead nodded.
“I heard there’s a movie playing later today.” He started. Bendy eyed him suspiciously.
“And?”
“And…” He elongated the word. “I was wondering if a little devil would accompany me to watch it.” He said, averting his gaze slightly. He was stealing glances at Bendy earlier but now it seemed like the road was the most interesting thing in the world. Bendy smirked.
“Are you asking me out on a date, Cup?” Cuphead huffed, but tried to retain the cool demeanor.
“And what would the little devil say if I was?” He asked smugly. Bendy laughed.
“I’d say, maybe if my date asked me properly, and not while on the way to work while I’m half asleep.” He said, jokingly. It was Cuphead’s turn to laugh this time.
“Touche.”
“What movie are they playing?”
“One called Cheap Seats? I think? A new one by Sillyvision.” At that Bendy’s eyes lit up.
“Sillyvision?” He asked, Cuphead nodded smugly. Bendy pushed him lightly on the shoulder. He knew what he was doing, and it was working.
“Fine, I suppose I accept your proposal.” He said, turning away smugly. Cuphead chuckled.
“I’ll get you flowers if you really want me to ask ‘properly’.” Bendy scoffed.
“Yeah, and maybe you can carry me bridal style to the door.” He said. Cuphead put a finger to his forehead.
“Not a bad idea.” Bendy hit him playfully, muttering something under his breath. “And we’re here.” He said as he stopped the car in front of a building, the big words “WishUpon labs” printed at the front. Bendy sighed, getting out and meeting Cuphead on the driver's side of the car. Cuphead looked at him sadly, he cupped his face. “You know, you could always come with me to the casino. No way being around things regarding the illness is good for you.” Bendy smiled slightly, but shook his head.
“I mean, I’m gonna die anyways, might as well find a cure for those who come after me.” He tried to sound cheerful about it, but Cuphead's saddened expression didn’t make him confident. Cuphead brought him close and hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead, it’s all Bendy allowed after all. He tried to give him his best smile and nodded, stepping back into the car.
“Be safe, don’t be joining Felix on any of his reckless adventures, that’s my job.” He said. Bendy rolled his eyes. “And bug my brother for me. His ego’s getting too big, he really thinks he’s getting somewhere.” He finished.
“Bye, Cuphead.” Cuphead chuckled.
“Bye, Baby.” He blew him a kiss as he sped off. A blush appeared on Bendy’s cheeks as he started walking into the building. He was walking towards his office in a daze before a voice stopped him.
“Bendy.” It was his boss, Oswald. They didn’t really have an official title for what Bendy was as a job, but he liked to call himself the experiment, everyone else thought that was offensive. Though because of that, he didn’t really know what exactly he was supposed to be doing at any given moment. But somehow Oswald always found a way to say he was doing something wrong.
“Yes, sir?” He answered politely, though his tone was more mocking than anything else. Oswald grumbled in annoyance.
“Are you here to actually work, or bother everyone else’s work again?” Bendy flashed him a cheeky smile.
“What, my darling presence isn’t enough for you?” Oswald gave him a dead panned expression. Bendy chuckled nervously.
“Bendy! Can you help me with something?” A voice shouted from further into the building
“Well, gotta scram.” He winked at Oswald, the older rolling his eyes at him.
“Get to work, Bendy.” Walking away from the desk, he entered Mugman’s office, or the room he claimed as his office. Papers strewn everywhere.
Cuphead’s brother was the complete opposite of him. Where Cuphead was snarky, reckless and playful, Mugman was more reserved. He could get angry at times, but for the most part, he focused on investigating and working by himself. Bendy had thought shortly about how Mugman and Boris would get along seamlessly. If either of them would ever talk to other people. An impossible thing to be sure.
“What’s up, Mugs?” The other turned to look at him, eye bags dragging his eyes down. He handed him a rolled up scroll.
“Can you see if you can read this? Felix found it hidden and buried, but when we opened it, there was nothing on it.” He explained. Bendy nodded, but not before taking more notice of Mugman's appearance. He looked frazzled. Eyes tired, big and red. His smile large, almost creepy.
“Are you….okay?” He asked. Mugman looked confused.
“Of course I am?” Bendy eyed him some more, then to the corner. The couch had a large indent in it, with a blanket on top.
“Did you sleep here?” He asked, baffled. Mugman blushed, looking away sheepishly,
“Well not technically. I didn’t really sleep.” He muttered the last part even quieter. Bendy’s eyes widened slightly.
“And Cuphead let you?” Mugman’s eyes widened.
“He doesn’t know. Please don’t tell him.” He pleaded. Bendy stared, unsure of what to do. Mugman took a deep breath in. “Cuphead doesn’t understand, but I’m really reaching a breakthrough. If you tell him, he might force me to keep working at the casino again.” He explained. “I’m more useful here, please just give me today.” He glanced back at his paperwork, then looked at Bendy in embarrassment. “Maybe two days? You can tell him all you want after.” He finished.
Bendy had a conflicting look on his face before he nodded, rolling his eyes afterwards. He unfurled the scroll. On it, he found a flurry of words, none of them in a language he could understand. He probably wouldn’t even be able to read them.
“Yeah…I can’t read that.” He said boredly. That only made Mugman light up. He grabbed the paper excitedly, squinting his eyes to try and see.
“There’s actually something on it?” He said excitedly. Bendy nodded, unsure of how that was supposed to help him at all. Mugman handed it back to him with force. “You have to try, try to read it to me.” He took out a parchment and a pen, looking at Bendy expectantly.
“I can’t read this! This is old language, we don’t even use most of these letters usually in normal words anymore.” He said. Mugman furrowed his brows in slight annoyance, but then took a deep breath.
“Just …..tell me the letters, it might take longer but, we'll go like that.” He said. Bendy looked at him, unconvinced. “Do you want my brother to watch you die?” Bendy’s eyes widened. He straightened the paper out and tried to focus on the words.
They spent the next half an hour like that, Bendy telling Mugman the letters, and the younger attempting to make words with what he could. As he reached the end of the paper, he glanced at Mugman, only to find him transfixed on his own paper. He was reading the words out loud quietly to himself. If Bendy had to guess, it sounded like latin.
“Is that it?” Bendy asked after a little while. Mugman brushed him off, turning around and venturing deeper into his office.
“Yeah, thank you Bendy.” He said. Bendy huffed. ‘See you later then I guess’ he thought to himself. Then he smiled slightly. On his way out, he almost bumped into someone, but they stopped him before he could. Grabbing his shoulders.
“Bendy!” The man cheered. “Just who I needed to see, come!” The cat beckoned him to his own office and he followed dumbly. The inside, not unlike Mugaman, was incredibly messy, but instead of papers there were artifacts, dead animals and samples. Bendy followed him inside.
Every time he got to see Felix in action a small part of his inner child healed. The fanboy in him not entirely gone. Felix turned and in his hand held an overflowing cupcake with a cherry on top. Bendy furrowed his brows. Since when had Felix been baking?
“Have you been feeling better these days?” He asked hopefully. Bendy shrugged.
“I mean it’s not gotten any worse?” He offered. Felix’s ears pinned against his head, looking sad for a single second before schooling his expression. He handed the cupcake to Bendy, and he finally realized. “Is this?” He didn’t get to finish before Felix started nodding.
“Unfortunely, this is not the long term cure we theorized it would be.” He started, disappointedly. Bendy furrowed his brows, confused. Felix looked just as confused as him.“I’m not entirely sure, you can ask Mugman about it. However, he did say that it will help you feel a little better for a while.” He explained. Bendy nodded skeptically.
“So I just..eat it? Then what?” He asked. Felix smiled nervously.
“You can ask Mugman about that too I guess.” Bendy deadpanned but then shrugged. He bit the cupcake quickly, not giving himself time to think about it. He thought it would taste more medicinally, but it was surprisingly good. The wondertart. His eyes shined, and Felix watched him with rapt intrigue.
“Inttresting.” He muttered to himself. Bendy blushed. He glanced around the room looking for an escape. He found bags of new artifacts awaiting to be analyzed.
“Did you just get back?” he asked curiously. The bags told him as much, but he still wanted to ask. Felix was stretching his back, chuckling at his question.
“Yeah, I had a setback by an evil baker. He said that he could help me bake the tart but he really just wanted the ingredients for himself.” He crossed his arms, looking annoyed, but a picture on the wall pulled him out of it. It was a picture of Oswalt and Mickey. “Can’t blame him though, any cure is better than no cure.” Bendy watched him curiously.
He knew there was something there between him and Oswalt, but he didn’t really know what it was. Desperate for another escape, he tried coming up with a new question.
“So you baked this?” He asked. Felix shook his head, a small smile on his face.
“Mugman did, he’s surprisingly good at baking. I guess it’s another career he can look into.” He looked around his room, ears perking up when he spotted a pile of papers. Running to pick them up, he handed them to Bendy. “Can you see if these have any words? Some birds seemed to be guarding them in the forest, but they didn't seem very important to the naked eye.” He went to the corner and picked up a case of glass jars, heading for the door. “I gotta go, Bendy, but tell Mugman if you can see anything. I’ll see you later for the meeting.” He ran out without further explanation.
Bendy eyed the papers in his hands, then growned. More translating. It was an important job, seeing as he was the only one who could do it. But at times it seemed like he was only useful because he was sick.
It was gonna be a long day.
*****
“Hey, I really think you should go home.” Mugman was staring at the corkboard. Posters and red string connecting pictures spread all over it. He was just…..staring. Bendy’s brows furrowed. “Hello? Mugs?”
“Hmmm?” Mugman turned to look at him, eyes closing slightly. He rubbed his eyes, yawning. “Oh, bye Bendy. See you….tomororrw.” He yawned between his words. Bendy winced at his state, he looked even worse than he did in the morning, almost falling over.
“Mugs, go home. You’re literally about to pass out” But Mugman shook his head, refocusing himself. He took a deep breath in, rubbing his eyes.
“I’ll find the maps, then I’ll go.” He looped another red string on the board, looking at Bendy with sharp eyes. “Bye Bendy.” He turned around and sat back at his desk. Bendy frowned, sighing as he walked away. He grabbed his bag and started heading for the exit. The front, void of Oswalt.
He was met with a similar sight from the morning once outside. After they were both sitting down, Cuphead turned the car on looking pleased at the sight of the demon, but there was also something else in his eyes.
“Something wrong?” Bendy finally asked. Cuphead sighed, glancing back at the building.
“Is my brother not coming?” He asked quietly. His tone was naturally curious, but underneath a hint of worry passed through. Bendy frowned at him for half a second before smiling. His signature cheeky smile. He shrugged, feigning calmness. But on the inside his nerves wouldn’t settle.
“I wouldn’t stress it. I bet he’s just got a lot of work.” He said offhandedly. Cuphead stared at him, clearly not buying it, but he didn’t ask further. “So.” He gave Cuphead a playful look. “About that movie?” Cuphead rolled his eyes, finally smiling as they sped off towards the cinema.
*****
They were halfway through the movie when he started to feel strange. Not a sickness type of strange, just out of the ordinary. He wasn’t tired, which was the first sign.
The coughing usually ate up a;l his energy, but that was no longer present either. It was almost like…he was cured.
A swirling in his stomach caught his attention. It didn’t hurt, but it was mildly uncomfortable. He put his hands against it, furrowing his brows. Cuphead looked at him in concern.
“Are you okay?” He asked softly, barely heard over the movie. Bendy nodded, with a confused look on his face. The feeling didn’t hurt, it just felt strange. A neutral kind of strange. He turned back to the screen.
By the end of the movie he felt better than he had felt in a long time. As Cuphead drove him back and dropped him off at his house, kissing him on his head again, he thought he wouldn’t be able to fall asleep from all the energy coursing through him. However, he passed out as soon as the sun went down.
The ink settled in him peacefully this time, letting him rest.